8. Phoenix Mercury: Kristine Anigwe, 6’4 F, California
If you need a rebounder in this draft, how do you ignore Anigwe, who is grabbing an astonishing 34.2 percent of available defensive boards this season? Phoenix finished ninth in the WNBA in rebounding percentage last season, so it’s an area of need. She provides some additional interior scoring as well, and could be a focal point of a Phoenix second unit, while providing Sandy Brondello the opportunity to go big with her next to Griner. She’s erased a lot of the doubts I heard about her last season and even early on this year. Front offices are ready to buy on her, as well they should: Lindsay Gottlieb products tend to outperform expectations in the pros (Layshia Clarendon, Brittany Boyd come to mind). Cal is very much on the NCAA bubble right now, though, and she could sure use the extra spotlight of March. Two wins last week in Arizona helped.